Flow regulator



May 26, 1953 l.. J. "SMITH 2,639,883

FLOW REGULATOR Filed Sept. 30, Y1948 INVENTOR, 0a/6' J SM/TH.

WWW/MW Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE FLOW REGULATOR Louis J. Smith, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 30, 1948, Serial No. 51,949

6 Claims.

This invention relates to valves, flow beans and similar devices used to control or regulate iluid flow through pipe lines and similar conduits.

In controlling or regulating flow from oil and gas wells extremely high pressures are encountered. Heretofore rotary plug type valves have frequently been employed wherein the plug is tapered and rotates on a tapered seat, tapers being employed in order to effect a tight seal. However, due to the high pressures encountered it is necessary to force or urge the tapered plug toward the small end of its seat with such great force to maintain a tight seal that it is extremely diflicult to rotate the plug in opening or closing the valve or flow bean. Not infrequently it is necessary to elevate or jack the tapered plug from its tapered seat in order to be able to turn the plug from open to closed position, or vice versa, against the effects of the high pressures that are effective thereon.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve or ow bean which is so designed that it can be easily opened and closed even though installed in a pipe line or other conduit conducting fluids under extremely high pressures. To this end the present invention contemplates the use of a body having a passage therethrough for the iiow of fluidsv and in which there is rotatable a cylindrical plug that is adequately supported for rotation within the body by means of radial bearings enabling the plug to be turned readily even in the presence of high pressures. As a means for effectively preventing leakage around the plug, sealing rings are employed that are disposed in the passage and which are movable against the periphery of the plug. As the plug does not closely fit the bore of the body but has sealing engagement only with the sealing rings, frictional resistance to rotation of the plug is greatly reduced and at the same time a highly effective leak-proof seal is established.

Another object of the invention is to provide this is required for purposes of inspection or rel placement without requiring the removal of the body from the pipe line or conduit in which it is disposed. In manifolding the ilows from oil wells and gas wells the valves o r ilow beans that are employed frequently have their bodies incor porated in the pipe line or conduit in such a manner that removal of any part of the valve or flow bean requires removal of the entire structure from the pipe line. The ability to remove and replace either the plug or the sealing rings, or both,.

either for purposes of inspection or replacement, without disturbing ,the body or its connection with the pipe line or conduit, is consequently highly desirable.

With the foregoing and other objects in View,

which will be made `manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had tothe accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a 4longitudinal vertical section through a Valve embodying the present inven,

tion;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through an alternative form of cam ring which may be employed in the valve illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of another alternative form of cam ring which may be employed in the valve shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the improved valve consists of a body generally indicated at I0 having a longitudinal passage therethrough illustrated as being internally threaded at each end as at II andIZ for attachment in a pipe line or conduit. Any equivalent attaching means may be employed in lieu of the threads II and I2. The longitudinal passage in the body is intersected by a vertical cylindrical bore I3 within which there is disposed a cylindrical plug III having a stem I5 that may be flatted as at IIS for the application of a wrench by which the plug can be rotated from open to closed position, or vice versa. The external diameter of the plug I4 is slightly smaller than the bore I3 so that there is a substantial clearance between the plug and the body, such clearance being .indicated at I'I. The plug I4 is shouldered for anti-friction radial bearings, generally indicated at I8, the

outer races of which nt the bore I3 closely. Adjacent these bearings the plug is grooved as at I9 to receive O rings 20 which engage the Walls of the b ore I3 and effectively serve to pack off leakage around the top and bottom ofthe plug. The plug is `retained in the bore I3 by means of a cap 2I secured to the body such as by cap g screws 22. lO rings 23 are recessedinthe cap'-r and serve to prevent leakage between the cap and the body and in a similar manner O rings 24 are recessed in the stem I5 to prevent leakage between the stem and the cap 2 I.

When the present invention is embodied on a valve the plug I4 has a diametrical bore 25 formed therein which, in the open position shown in Fig. 1, is aligned with a longitudinal passage through therbody I1), It will be understood, however, that 'the .invention is equally app-licableto a flow bean wherein the passage 25 in the plug I4 is shouldered and is designed to receive a bean or choke that can be introduced andremoved through a normallyclosed opening"'in`the side of the body Ill which is aligned 'with one end of the bore 25 when the plug I4 is turned into its closed position or ninetyd'egrees 'from the position shown.

In accordance with the present invention, sealing rings 26 are disposed in the longitudinal passage in the body I@ -on opposite sides o'f the plug I4. These sealing rings have internal diameters substantially equa-l to the diameter of bore "25, and are shaped and lapped to closely fit the ground peripheral surface on the plug M immediately surrounding the ends of the bore .25. The external diameter of these sealing rings lis -slightly less than the internal diameter of body Ill surrounding 'them so that'a 'slight clearance is afforded to enable the sealing rings to closely iit the surface 'of the plug when the .parts are assembled in the body.

Outwardly of the sealing rings 2B there are packing rings '21. Each packing ring has its inner corners recessed to accommodate O rings 28 .and 29. The outer surfaceof each .packing ring is grooved to receive an O ring 353. The packing rings 21 and their'associated O rings are positioned on flange portions 3| of cam rings 32. The anges 3l are held by the packing rings 27 in slight spaced relation to the sealing rings 2B so that there is a slight exposed area 33 on the back of each sealing ring 25 upon which pressure of the iluid passing through the body ID may be eiective to urge the sealing ring yagainst 'the plug I4.

Each cam ring 32 has a beveled face complementary 'to 'a companion cam ring 34, the arrangement being such that when the companion cam ring 31B is laterally displaced with relation. to the cam 'ring 32, the cam ring 32 will be urged in an axial direction and ,crowd the packing ring 2l and the sealing ring toward the plug. To this end it will be observed that the cam ring 32 ts "the interior of the body I rather closely 'but that there is a substantial clearance between the exterior of 'cam ring 34 and the interior of the body topermi't of such lateral displacement. 'The companion cam ring 3d rests against a vshoulder 35 formed adjacent each threaded end of the body. Means is lprovided for shifting or displacing each companion cam ring 3'4 from the exterior of the body 'and 'to this end threaded apertures 436 are formed in the top of the body opposite the top of each companion cam ring. Set screws 37 are disposed therein and can be manipulated on the insertion of a wrench when tapered pipe plugs v38 are removed. In. this manner, by removing the pipe plugs 38 the set screws 31 can be turned to displace the companion cam rings 34 and thus crowd the sealing rings against the sides of Itheplug .I4 with whatever .force is required to effect a seal in addition to the force exerted by the pressure eiective on the exposed areas 33. this connection it will .4 be observed that if the set screws 31 are backed off or unscrewed the companion cam rings can return to their coaxial positions with relation to the cam rings 32, thus relieving the pressure of the sealing rings 26 against the sides of the plug. When this has been accomplished it will be noted that on removal of the cap screws 22 the cap 2l may be removed from the body and the entire plug withdrawn 4through th'e 'top of lthe body. Furthermore, as `ythe diameter bf the bore I3 is greater than the outside diameter of the sealing rings 26, the sealing rings can also be withdrawn through the bore I3. Usually the greatest wear or 'cutting action will occur between the sealing rrings 2k6 and-the plug I4 and the improved valve is consequently highly advantageous in that it enables'the'se parts to be removed, inspected, repaired or replaced without in any way disturbing the connection between the body I0 and the adjoining pipe sections that are screwed into the threaded ends il and I2. To facilitate removal of the plug and its associated bearings, holes 39 may be drilled Iin the bottom of vthe body :opposite the outer race andthe lower radial bearing I'Q. vThese holes are normally rclosed by pipe plugs 40 and upon removal of the 'pipe plugs, rods or similar instruments may ble inserted through the holes 33 to drivethe plug out of the body.

It will be appreciated from ythe above described construction vthat vasvth'e'plug I4 has a considerable clearance with the body Ii) the only friction resisting turning of the plug is `that `friction existing between the stem .l5 and thecap 21, the friction of the radial bearings, and the friction betweenthe surface ofthe plug and the sealing rings 25. The'sum of all'lthese frictions is usually such that the plug can be readily turned .rom open to closed position, or vice versa, even though the pressure of the'fluid flowing lin vthe body 'Ill is extremely high although the primary seal against leakage is effected by the close metal-tomet'al contact vbetween the sealing rings '2B and the plug I4. Any leakage that takes place is effectively confined by the O lrings ll, '2t and 2'3.

o Leakage around the sealing .vringsZB and around the cam rings 32 is effectively .preventedby the O rings 2'3, 29 and '30. l

In lthe construction illustrated in Fig. 2, the cam ring and packing ring are, in effect, combined and the single cam 'ring 32a functions not only as a cam. ring but as a carrier for the 0 rings 28ay and 30a lwhich perform the same functions as the O rings 28 'and 30. In this Aform of construction, as 'the packing ring and cam ring are Acombined togetherthe 0 ring '29 is omitted.

yIn the construction illustrated in Fig. 3, the cam ring is illustrated at 32h and has mounted thereon a ring 30h designed to closely t vthe interior of the valve body and Vto project from the cam ring a suicient distance so as to bear against the sealing ring .26. The ring 35h may be formed or rubber, synthetic rubber, or other resilient material designed to form an effective seal between the cam ring and the body and vbetween the cam ring and the sealing ring'to prevent leakage, The material sold on the market under the trade 'name Hi-C`ar'is suitable for this purpose.

'From the above described construction it will be appreciated that 'an improved valve or ylo'w -zbea'n is provided which'is Vof relatively simple construction and which enables the parts to be -easily manufactured and assembled. 'The plug can be readily rotated at all times because of the minimum friction therewith even `-under the most severe fpressu-re conditions. AAdjusrfnrient of the pressure with which the sealing rings 26 press against the plug is permissible at all times from the exterior of the body I without disturbing the body or its connections with the pi-pe line. Likewise, removal of the plug and the sealing rings for inspection or repair is permissible without disturbing or disconnecting the body from the pipe line.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A flow regulating or controlling device comprising a body having a passage for flow therethrough, a rotary plug rotatable in the body adapted upon rotation to regulate ow through the passage, said plug being cylindrical and having radial bearings above and below said passage, at least one sealing ring in the passage having one side adapted to be moved into engagement with the side of the plug to seal thereagainst, a packing ring having one side against the other side of the sealing ring carrying packing engageable with the sealing ring and with the interior of the body, cam rings disposed against the other side of the packing adapted on displacement of one cam ring relative to the other to force the packing ring and sealing ring toward the plug, means restraining one of said cam rings against axial movement in an outward direction, and means operable from the exterior of the body for displacing one of the cam rings relative to the other.

2. A ow regulating or controlling device comprising a body having a passage for flow therethrough, a rotary plug rotatable in the body adapted upon rotation to regulate flow through the passage, said plug being cylindrical and having radial bearings above and below said passage, at least one sealing ring in the passage having one side adapted to be moved into engagement with the side of the plug to seal thereagainst, a packing ring having one side against the other side of the sealing ring carrying packing engageable with the sealing ring and with the interior of the body, cam rings disposed against the other side of the packing adapted on displacement of one cam ring relative to the other to force the packing ring and sealing ring toward the plug, means restraining one of said cam rings against axial movement in an outward direction, the body having a threaded aperture therein opposite the displaceable cam ring, a set screw therein for displacing said cam ring, and means normally closing the threaded aperture.

3. A ilow regulating or controlling device comprising a body having a passage for ilow therethrough, a rotary plug rotatable in the body adapted upon rotation to regulate flow through the passage,4 at least one sealing ring in the passage having one side adapted to be moved into engagement with the side of the plug to seal thereagainst, a packing ring having one side against the other side of the sealing ring carrying packing engageable with the sealing ring and with the interior of the body, cam rings disposed against the other side of the packing ring adapted on displacement of one cam ring relative to the other to force the packing ring and sealing ring toward the plus. means restraining one of said cam rings against axial displacement in an outward direction, the body having a threaded aperture therein opposite the displaceable cam ring, a set screw therein for displacing said cam ring, and means normally closing the threaded aperture.

4. A flow regulating or controlling device comprising a body having a passage for flow therethrough, a rotary plug rotatable in the body adapted upon rotation to regulate flow through the passage, at least one sealing ring in the passage having one side adapted to be moved into engagement Withthe side of the plug to seal thereagainst, a packing ring disposed against the other side of the sealing ring carrying packing engageable with the sealing ring and with the interior of the body, a cam mounted in the body and engageable with the packing ring for forcing the packing ring and the sealing ring toward the plug, the body providing a passageway through the walls thereof, and means within the passageway for moving the cam to adjust the pressure with which the sealing ring is urged against the plug.

5. A flow regulating or controlling device comprising a body having a passage for flow therethrough, a rotary plug rotatable in the body adapted upon rotation to regulate flow through the passage. at least one sealing ring in the passage having one side adapted to be moved into engagement with the side of the plug to seal thereagainst, a packing ring having one side against the other side of the sealing ring carrying packing engageable with the sealing ring and with the interior of the body, cam rings disposed against the other side of the packing ring adapted on displacement of one cam ring relative to the other to force the packing ring and sealing ring toward the plug, means restraining one of said cam rings against axial displacement in an outward direction, and means operable from the exterior of the body for displacing one of the cam rings relative to the other.

6. A flow regulating or controlling device comprising a body having a passage for ow therethrough, a rotary plug rotatable in the body adapted upon rotation to regulate flow through the passage, at least one sealing ring in the passage having one side adapted to be moved into engagement with the side of the plug to seal thereagainst, a packing ring having one side against the other side of the sealing ring carrying packing, the packing being engageable with the sealing ring and with the interior of the body, and means operable from the exterior of the body for forcing the packing ring and sealing ring toward the plug. y

LOUIS J. SMITH.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,057,297 Tartrais Mar. 25, 1913 2,390,201 Bredenbeck Dec. 4, 1945 2,529,412 Parker Nov. 7, 1950 2,600,898 Maxwell June 17, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 415,810 Great Britain of 1934 516,614; Great Britain of 1939 

